Sep 24 (CT) Sri Lankans are heading to the polls to elect the country’s 9th Executive Prez in what is both a divisive and decisive moment. Whoever is elected will be the result of over five years of relentless struggle, reflecting the people’s demand for change – specifically, an economically-centred lifestyle free from corruption that has caused widespread distress. Despite a narrow field of candidates (38 in total, though only six more..

Sep 24 (TM) SL just wrapped up a historic election with the Prez Election to pick the 9th Executive Prez ending last Sunday. However, with the General Election on the horizon and other elections likely to follow, concerns about voter-turnout and the lack of awareness about preferential voting is growing. According to the Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake over 3,500,000 citizens who are eligible to vote, did not cast their votes during the 2024 Prez Election held last weekend. more..

Sep 24 (CT) Sri Lanka enters a new turning point in its history with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake taking office after being democratically elected by the people of SL. NPP Leader was once on the fringes of SL politics, but now stands in the spotlight, at the helm, with the charge of navigating a recovering SL. If one were to travel back in time, five years ago, to the 2019 Prez Election and speak with the people, surely no one would have believed that Dissanayake, more..

Sep 24 (ST) Shooters representing SL Schools Shooting Sport Association (SLSSSA), Army Small Arms (ASAA) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Musketry shared honours at the NSSF Rifle and Pistol Open Championship 2024, conducted at two official shooting ranges sanctioned by the National Shooting Sport Federation of SL (NSSF). At the National Range in Kohuwela, where the 10m Airgun events were held between Aug 8 and 14, SLSSSA shooters dominated the show, while ASAA shooters more..

Sep 24 (DM) In the high-stakes world of trade and logistics, corruption at SL’s customs, IRD, ports, and airports is not just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis that’s crippling the nation’s export sector. Outdated, manual systems have become breeding grounds for corruption, where bribery and inefficiency rule, bleeding exporters dry and stifling economic growth. The country stands at a critical juncture, where the only viable path forward is the digitalisation of customs and trade operations. more..

Sep 24 (ST) While voting is a fundamental right enjoyed by Sri Lankans, there are some who did not vote yesterday due to voter apathy, personal or official obligations, lack of identification documentation, or failure to register as a voter. On average, around 20 to 25% of voters fail to cast their votes at an election due to disinterest in the electoral process. Others who miss out on voting include people engaged in essential services on more..

Sep 24 (Island) JVP/NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) was sworn in as the ninth Executive Prez of SL yesterday. His ascension to the highest position in the land marks a turning point in SL’s political history. President AKD, in his inaugural address to the nation, made a solemn pledge to uphold and safeguard democracy. The irony of the image/footage of Prez AKD’s inaugural address may not have been lost on political observers. In the late 1980s, AKD and other young JVP members more..

Sep 24 (Island) The extraordinary events that took place during 2022 have reached their denouement at the recently concluded prez election. The Aragalaya protests that lasted for over 3 months in the middle of 2022 that were spearheaded by youth and became a mighty protest movement by tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and all parts of the country finally drove the then prez and govt from power. But as the prez and govt they forced out had more than two years of their more..

Sep 24 (DN) “Normally I do my basic, stick to it and that is my success said Player of the Match Prabath Jayasuriya the successful leg spinner who took 4 for 136 in the 40 over spell in first innings and once again 5 for 68 in 30.4 over spell at second innings to claim match bag of 9 wickets at Galle International Cricket Stadium. He took 88 wickets in his 15 test match career while captured 66 wickets at Galle in his seven matches and Galle stadium is Jayasuriya’s hunting ground. more..

Sep 24 (Island) Over thousand entries have been received for the inaugural Age Group Novices Badminton Championship, organised and conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) and its Regional Development Committee. The competition is set to commence on Sept 28 and will go on until Oct 2 at New Saniro Airport Sports Complex, situated at Devolapola in Naiwala, near Gampaha. However, the organisers have still kept open for new entries, which will close at 3pm on Sept 25, more..

Sep 24 (EN) The IMF said it will discuss the timing of the next review of the program and looked forward to working with the new Prez. “We look forward to working together with Prez Dissanayake and his team towards building on the hard-won gains that have helped put SL on a path to economic recovery since entering one of its worst economic crises in 2022,” an IMF spokesperson said. “We will discuss the timing of the third review of IMF more..

Sep 24 (CT) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa will continue as the leader of the SJB, with no changes to the party leadership, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara confirmed. He stated that no decision regarding the party leadership has been taken by either the leadership or the members. Refuting reports of a possible transition of power, Bandara also clarified that he has no intention of becoming party leader; affirmed that Sajith Premadasa will continue more..

Sep 24 (TM) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) saw a monthly high on Monday (23) as the political uncertainty clears out with the appointment of the new Prez and his confident speech when he was sworn in, a market analyst said. First Capital Chief Research and Strategy Officer Dimantha Mathew said that although there was selling pressure during the first 20 minutes of the market opening, the market recovered with the appointment of the Prez. “We have already seen a bottoming out effect more..

Sep 24 (CT) A nationwide curfew was enforced while the vote counting was still ongoing, just one hour after the Election Commission of SL (ECSL) had characterised the 2024 Prez Election as the most peaceful in the country’s recent political history, European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer, Nacho Sánchez Amor, pointed out at the press conference. He said that the EU EOM noticed a disconnect between more..

Sep 24 (FT) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) in a statement yesterday extended its sincere congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his historic victory as the newly elected President of SL. “This decisive mandate reflects the trust and confidence the people have placed in his leadership to guide the country forward,” the NCE said. Its statement also said the following. “We also take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Sep 24 (DN) Sri Lanka’s boys’ team claimed the gold medal in the D category, while the girls’ team secured bronze in the C category at the FIDE Chess Olympiad, which concluded in Hungary. In the final round, the Sri Lankan open team faced a strong Thailand team. Entering the last round ranked second in their category, the Sri Lankans fought hard to secure a 2-2 draw despite being out-rated on three of the four boards. International Master (IM) Ranindu Liyanage led the charge, more..

Sep 24 (FT) Erik Solheim, former diplomat and adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, yesterday described the 2024 Presidential election result as a political earthquake. “The left-wing candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected President of Sri Lanka this weekend. This is the first time since independence that the Sri Lankan people elect a party and a candidate from outside the traditional elite,” he noted via a post on ‘X’. Solheim noted that this unprecedented win reflects more..

Sep 24 (Island) A critical factor for the success of the new govt will be the fulfillment of key election promises, especially the eradication of corruption and waste, which have long hindered the country’s economic and administrative systems, National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) states in a congratulatory note to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his assuming office as the Prez of SL. ‘As we celebrate this transition, we must also acknowledge significant challenges ahead. more..

Sep 24 (KH) As newly-elected left-wing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took his oath in Colombo, SL’s former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Nepal. Dissanayake, who garnered only 3% of the votes in the 2019 elections, has now secured a majority. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa, who fled SL two years ago, arrived in Kathmandu via Bhutan. In Kathmandu, Rajapaksa is being hosted by billionaire businessman more..

Sep 24 (EN) The IMF said it welcomed SL’s deal with international sovereign bondholders but still required clearance from the official creditor committee of bilateral lenders. “We welcome the announcement of an agreement in principle between SL and international bondholders’ representatives, subject to confirmation on comparability of treatment by Sri Lanka’s Official Creditors Committee,” an IMF spokesperson said. “This represents significant progress in SL’s debt restructuring process.” more..

Sep 24 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a visit to the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, today (23), where he received the Archbishop’s blessings. During his visit to the Archbishop’s House, Colombo, the Prez inquired about His Eminence’s well-being and engaged in a brief conversation. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, expressed his congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election more..

Sep 24 (FT) The US has congratulated President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory in the SL Prez election, as confirmed by the vote results on 22 Sept. “We commend the people of SL for peacefully exercising their right to vote. This election is a testament to the strength of SL’s democratic institutions and the commitment of its citizens to shaping their future through peaceful and democratic means,” said a statement issued by US Dept of State spokesman Matthew Miller. more..

Sep 24 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (23) paid homage to the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) and received blessings. Upon his arrival at the Dalada Maligawa, the President was ceremonially welcomed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela. Following this, the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and offered blessings to the President, who took part in religious observances before the sacred Tooth Relic. more..

Sep 24 (DM) Parliament will be dissolved tonight and a Parliamentary Election will be held by December. Following the resignation of Dinesh Gunawardena as the PM yesterday, a senior source from the NPP said that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will today appoint an interim cabinet of four ministers, including himself, where 15 portfolios will be divided within them. Prez Dissanayake will keep Tourism, more..

Sep 24 (TM) SL has elected its final Executive Prez as reforms will be enacted to abolish the Executive Presidency, claimed NPP Executive Committee Member, former MP Sunil Handunnetti. He made these remarks after the oath taking ceremony of the ninth Executive Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake held yesterday. He also expressed confidence in the newly elected President's commitment to making this significant constitutional change. Urging the public to support the initiative, he stated: more..

Sep 24 (PMD) The newly elected President, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, visited the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters today (23) to receive their blessings, following his visit to pay homage at the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. President Dissanayake first visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, where he met with Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero, the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter. more..

Sep 24 (FT) Newly elected Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged to reinforce democracy through structural reforms and legal improvements, stressing that the democratic process does not end with voting and electing leaders. “By voting and choosing a leader alone, the democratic process does not end. We must empower democracy by strengthening structures and laws,” Dissanayake said. more..

Sep 24 (DM) The SLPP said today that they are ready for the next general election. The decision was announced following a lengthy discussion at Nelum Mawatha on how to face the next general election. There were further discussions on whether those who left the party during the last Presidential election will be welcomed back into the SLPP, the SLPP said. It has also been decided not to take back to the party any persons who have allegations of corruption against them. more..

Sep 24 (FT) The too close to call Prez poll has been called and lo, the name of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) heads all the rest. Case closed, with the pundits who predicted the necessity to appeal to the preferential voting silenced? Perhaps not, for there is cause for proceeding with caution: In the first flush of a famous victory, AKD and his colleagues may be inclined to interpret their fearless leader’s electoral landslide as incontrovertible proof of his popularity, more..

Sep 24 (FT) The people of Sri Lanka have spoken. In a historic moment, Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as the nation’s president, marking a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s political history. This election, deeply rooted in the widespread calls for systemic change during the 2022 Aragalaya protests, represents the will of the people and their demand for a just and equitable future. The significance of this election extends far beyond a single moment of political change; more..

Sep 24 (DM) The Election Commission has announced that the security deposits of 35 presidential candidates will be forfeited. Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, stated that this decision stems from the candidates' failure to secure at least 12.5% of the vote in the recently concluded presidential election. According to election law, candidates who do not meet this minimum vote requirement are required to forfeit their deposits. more..

Sep 24 (AD) SL’s new three-member Cabinet of Ministers was sworn-in before Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a short while ago. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn-in as the Minister of Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science and Tech, Health and Food Security, shortly after taking oath as the new PM. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has retained following Ministerial portfolios: more..

Sep 24 (EN) SL’s outgoing Power & Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said he leaves the ministry and institutes under his purview in stronger financial positions with adequate stocks of petroleum products and coal for power generation and fuel supply. All the institutes are now on positive balance sheets, recovering costs for its services, making payments on time for suppliers, servicing outstanding debt and providing and supporting the treasury with additional revenue it’s more..

Sep 24 (DM) A police officer and his wife are suspected of aiding and abetting the rape of their 15-year-old daughter, the court was told. The individual who raped the girl was produced before the Kebithigollewa District Judge and Magistrate Kasun Dasanayake by the Wahalkada police and remanded till Sept 26. The 32-year-old suspect is a resident of the Padaviya area. Police told court that the parents had allowed the suspect to rape the girl and had ignored her pregnancy and that she had more..

Sep 24 (EN) UNP seniors backing former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said he will not contest next parliamentary election as per UNP convention. UNP deputy leader Ruwan Wijewardene, SJB MPs Thalatha Atukorala and Rajitha Senaratne, former UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and former Minister Harin Fernando speaking to reporters in Colombo said that former prez J R Jayawardena had set a precedent of not contesting elections more..